"Perdido" is a

jazz standard Jazz standards are musical compositions that are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive l ...

composed by Juan Tizol that was recorded on December 3, 1941 by

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was ba ...

. However, it is the January 21, 1942, recording of the song on the Victor label by the Ellington orchestra, of which Tizol was a member, that is regarded as the original recording. In 1944,

Ervin Drake Ervin Drake (born Ervin Maurice Druckman; April 3, 1919 – January 15, 2015) was an American songwriter whose works include such American Songbook standards as " I Believe" and "It Was a Very Good Year". He wrote in a variety of styles and his w ...

and Hans Lengsfelder were hired to write lyrics for the song.

Background

"Perdido" is Spanish and means ''lost'', but also sloppy or indecent. The song refers to Perdido Street in New Orleans.

Ella Fitzgerald recording

"Perdido" was not usually sung with the Ellington band, the exception being

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, i ...

on her 1957 album '' Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook''.

Other recordings

Many others recorded the song, including: * Sarah Vaughan * Dinah Washington *

Art Tatum Arthur Tatum Jr. (, October 13, 1909 – November 5, 1956) was an American jazz pianist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest in his field. From early in his career, Tatum's technical ability was regarded by fellow musicians as extraord ...

Quincy Jones Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (born March 14, 1933) is an American record producer, musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer. His career spans 70 years in the entertainment industry with a record of 80 Grammy Award n ...

*The Charlie Parker Quintet * Dave Brubeck *

Charles Mingus Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, pianist, composer, bandleader, and author. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians an ...

* Randy Weston * Erroll Garner *

Bill Doggett William Ballard Doggett (February 16, 1916 – November 13, 1996) was an American pianist and organist. He began his career playing swing music before transitioning into rhythm and blues. Best known for his instrumental compositions " Honky Tonk" ...

* Harry James *

Enoch Light Enoch Henry Light (August 18, 1907 – July 31, 1978) was an American classically trained violinist, danceband leader, and recording engineer. As the leader of various dance bands that recorded as early as March 1927 and continuing through at l ...

and Light Brigade

References

External links

"Perdido" at JazzStandards.comStandards Throwdown! (THE Greatest Standard of ALL-TIME!): Perdido
"36 different artists recordings of Perdido, in a 'Standards Throwdown!'" at rdio.com 1941 songs 1940s jazz standards Bebop jazz standards Songs written by Ervin Drake Songs with music by Juan Tizol {{1940s-jazz-composition-stub